Over 300 people who fled Shan State’s Palaung Self-Administered Zone have been provided relief by sympathisers from Lashio.

Families from the Lisu ethnic minority left their homes last week after the Ta-ang (Palaung) National Liberation Army allegedly came to their village demanding recruits for their ranks.

Residents from Lashio have donated food, medicine and clothes to the IDPs.

“There are war refugees all over Burma,” said one resident from Lashio. “With a wish to reduce their suffering and end all civil conflict in the country, we are donating aid for them.”

There are 54 Lisu families taking shelter in Eaindine village in Lashio District.

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The villagers said they feared for their lives after the TNLA allegedly killed their village leader, Maung Sein, after he went to plead with the rebels not to conscript people from their village.

However, the TNLA’s political wing, the Palaung State Liberation Front, released a statement insisting the allegations of abuse against villagers are false.

The statement claims the Lisu people left the village of their own accord to escape economic hardship there.

They also deny allegations of extrajudicial killings and said the TNLA only fights the Burmese Army.

Those helping the displaced villagers said they just want the conflict to be over.

“We wish our country will see an end to conflict and that peace can prosper in every corner,” said a woman from Lashio.